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Intended Retirement of the Premier.

MR BALLANCE OR SIR J. HALL

TO SUCCEED HIM,

The following is telegraphed to the ♦♦North Otago Times" by its Wellington correspondent, under date May 27 : — " Rumors have been current for some time of the probability of Sir H. Atkinson's early retirement from office, but nothing definite has hitherto been published. lam now in a position to say, however, thab he will deliver the Financial Statement early next session, and then resign office. His health has become so bad that he is simply unable to attend to Ministerial work without very serious risk to himself, and his medical advisers insist that he shall leave office. The question who is to be his successor as r render is not, I believe, settled yet, but it is. pretty certain that it will be Mr Ballance, or failing him Sir J. Hall. The latter, however, is less popular, because his connection with the Atkinson, Whitaker, Pollen, and Hall party makes him a sort of mark for the Opposition, and he would not be over pleasing to some Government supporters. One important proposal likely to be made is for the appointment of a committee to enquire into and report upon the grievances of railway employees." (Notwithstanding that our contemporary accepts the above without question, finds a leading article in the assumption that Mr Ballance may be " sent for," we incliae to the belief that there has been a blunder somewhere, and that for "Mr Ballance " should be read "Mrßryce."

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